LAURA WOODS ON CARRICK’S FUTURE, WIRTZ’S FORM & WHY DUBOIS-WARDLEY 2 IS TOO SOON
MAN UTD SHOULD STICK WITH CARRICK… FOR NOW
I don't think what’s going on at Manchester United is a managerial issue so much as what they're doing in terms of their recruitment and supporting the managers that they bring in.
For instance, I think the underlying essence behind Lisandro Martinez’s comments midweek was accurate.
Calling out one of his bosses to make that point is a dangerous game to play though – but he is right to point out problems elsewhere in the club, including on the pitch.
In saying that, there were a lot of questions about Michael Carrick in terms of whether he is a strong enough character and whether he has enough experience to take on a role like this because it is such a massive role with so many pressures.
It’s almost like a poisoned chalice. I always wonder when a new manager goes into United: what makes them want to do it?
The glory of Manchester United and being their manager – especially as an ex-player – is one thing but you almost inevitably know you're going to fail because you're not getting what you need while you’re there.
Some of the great managers who’ve been there have failed so you’d have to really love management to want to go in there and basically have your head on a chopping board every week.
The question is what else are they going to do?
If they get rid of Carrick and bring somebody else in then it’s just a continuation of the managerial merry-go-round and players have then got to settle with another manager.
That might mean a different style of play. It might mean a clash of personalities. You might then end up losing some of the players that are just forging their way now.
It depends so much on what that manager wants, his tastes and his players. As the manager, it’s obviously Carrick’s job to keep an eye on what's going on the pitch and to affect games. And if he’s not making the right decisions and can't keep hold of a lead, that's very problematic. The Spurs result was pretty damaging for him in that regard.
However, it's such a mess and the fact they’re in the same position every season means you don't actually know what the right thing to do is at the moment.
But I don't think it’s to sack the manager. I think it's probably to back him Man Utd to finish top four is 9/4 with BetMGM
CITY NEED MORE HUMILITY
I’d take the Manchester City celebrations after beating Liverpool as a reaction to the very hostile environment they were experiencing at Anfield.
I don’t really mind that. I don’t hate the idea of teams ‘over-celebrating’. It’s football – it’s always emotional and I quite enjoy it.
Where I’m not keen on it is if it’s being accepted as an ‘F you’ to the guilty verdict because, in this situation, it would be much classier for the club to keep their heads down and be a bit more humble.
Winning matches doesn’t erase history. This is still a guilty verdict as it stands, so we treat them as guilty.
If their appeal is upheld, that’s a different story. But we’re not there yet. City fans are clutching at whatever they can at the moment, what with brandishing the bananas and being as defiant as possible in how they’ve chosen to deal with it.
It’s not going to win them any goodwill and I don’t think the players should be going down that route when the club is clearly in serious trouble.
But going to Anfield and winning 3-0 is massive. And doing it while dealing with all the pressures of being the public face of it all after a guilty verdict – one that isn’t the players' or Enzo Maresca’s fault – is very hard.
In that respect, managing to get such a big win should be celebrated Man City to win the Premier League is 7/2 with BetMGM
STILL TIME FOR WIRTZ AT LIVERPOOL
I would be frustrated with Florian Wirtz’s form if I were a Liverpool fan – but I wouldn’t drop him yet.
Confidence is such a big thing. I know he’s now had a full season but still one of the things we all said was to give him time and let him settle into the Premier League.
He’s still quite young, it’s a new country and it’s a demanding position at a very big club with a lot of pressures on it.
I think they need to nail down what his best position is and make sure he’s got the right chemistry with the players starting around him.
So I wouldn’t drop him – though rotating every now and then if he’s not giving enough in that role is fine. It’s not a charity; he’s working and being paid a lot of money.
But I wouldn’t be feeling the need to ship him out or anything.
Florian Wirtz to have most assists this season is 40/1 with BetMGM
MY GOLDEN GOALS MATCHDAY 7 SELECTIONS
Here are my picks for this week’s Golden Goals, BetMGM’s free-to-play score predictor game with up to £100,000 up for grabs if you can call these results correctly:
- Brentford 2–2 Liverpool
- Fulham 1–1 Hull City
- Manchester City 3–0 Ipswich
- Newcastle 2–1 Aston Villa
- Leeds 2–1 Manchester United
- Nott’m Forest 0–2 Arsenal
Even getting as few as two correct scores right could land you a prize, from Free Bets to a share of £5,000!
Fancy it? Get your own entries in here or, if you need a hand deciding, take a look at BetMGM’s expert analysis for all six games here first.
DUBOIS-WARDLEY 2 HAPPENING TOO SOON
Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley are two of the best men in boxing. They’re both lovely guys.
My concern with their rematch on 17th October is that it’s happening very quickly after the last fight.
That first fight was so bruising, so damaging, that you wonder if those putting on the show are really considering the health of the fighters in this.
This is going to be absolutely savage, another proper battle, and their bodies are probably only just recovered if they even have. And that’s not even considering the potential lasting damage.
I know that's the kind of point of boxing but it's a big concern. We should be asking two questions when putting these fights together:
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Are you doing what’s best for these fights?
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Would it make a difference if you delayed it a bit?
Dubois and Wardley are highly entertaining and they will give it absolutely everything now that it is going ahead.
I lean a little bit towards Dubois winning because I feel he can weather the punishment better and has been in with the better fights. I was in the camp that thought he beat Oleksandr Usyk in Poland and I'd never seen someone challenge Usyk like that before.
I also did the fight where Dubois beat Anthony Joshua convincingly so I do think he’ll probably win.
But do you know what? I think we could do without it for a little bit longer. Daniel Dubois to win by stoppage is 1/2 with BetMGM
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change. Please note: This week's Golden Goals deadline is Saturday 17th October 15:00. Opt-in is required and you can find out more here.
Golden Goals Terms & Conditions
Opt in & predict 6 correct scores (see game lobby for weekly tournament cut-off time) to win up to £100k jackpot. Predict 2+ correct scores and win a prize (ranging from Free Bets to £5k Prizepool). Winnings shared evenly in case of multiple winners. Each prize subject to its own terms. Void if 1 or more matches postponed/abandoned or not completed. Verification procedures apply. 18+. T&Cs and exclusions apply.
